Rail-joint



(No Model.) I

' E. NORTON.

RAIL JOINT.

No. 588,596. Patented Aug. 24,1897.

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' section taken on the line a; of Fig. 1.

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TATES EDIVARD NORTON, OF LUMBERTON, MISSISSIPPI.

RAlL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,596, dated August24, 1897.

Application filed February 4, 1897. Serial No. 621,958. (No model) Toall whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD NORTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lum berton, in the county of Pearl River and State ofMississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRail-Joints and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in rails, and has more particularrelation to railjoints.

The invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, andarrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter moreparticularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 represents a perspective View of the adjoining ends of tworails constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 represents avertical transverse Fig. 3 represents an enlarged detail perspectiveview of the end of one rail, and Fig. 4 represents a similar view of theend of the adjoining rail.

1 and 2 represent the respective rails, and 3 the connecting-bolts. Therails 1 and 2 are each formed at one end with a vertical web 4, havingbolt-apertures 5 and a shoulder 6. These ends of said rails are furtherformed with horizontal grooves 7, formed in their extended bases 8. Saidrails 1 and 2 are each formed at their opposite ends with an extendedtread 9, having a horizontal groove 10 and a pendent web or flange 11,formed with elongated slots 12 and a shoulder 13, the base portions ofthese ends of the rails being cut away.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that When the ends ofthe rails 1 and 2 are applied together the lower edge of the web 4 willenter the groove 7, while the upper edge of the web 4 will enter thegroove 10 and thus prevent any lateral movement of the rails one uponthe other. At the same time the shoulder 13 will rest firmly upon theextended base and the shoulder 6 against the extended tread. By thesepeculiar forms the adjoining ends of the rails are locked firmlytogether, and the rail presents an unbroken 'contour. In order tofurther secure said rails in position, the bolts 3 are passed throughthe apertures 5 and slots 12 and secured in position by suitable-nuts,the office of said slots '12 being to permit the expansion andcontraction of the rails because of the varying temperatures to whichthey are subjected.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the respectivelocking ends of my improved rails are so constructed that when appliedtogether they present the appearance of an unbroken rail and at the sametime are firmly secured together without the employment of fish-platesor any other auxiliary means other than their own construction and theconnecting-bolts.

While the construction of my invention may necessitate more work in themanufacture of the rails themselves, it at the same time obviates thenecessity of using fish-plates or chairs, and, further, dispenses withthe-use of a great number of bolts, two only being used for each joint.

With rails constructed according to this invention the danger of a loosejoint is reduced to a minimum, if not altogether avoided, as

the peculiar construction of the respective webs of the rails enteringthe grooves of the adjoining rails firmly locks said rails against anypossible lateral movement independent of each other.

The invention further distributes the joint along an extend ed portionof the rail, the joint through the tread being atone point and thatthrough the base at another. Any danger of the weakening of the railbecause of this peculiar construction is therefore avoided and a firm,strong, and durable rail-joint provided.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with one rail having a Vertical apertured web, and anextended horizontal portion having a horizontal groove formed therein,of another rail also provided with a vertical apertured web and ahorizontal extension having a horizontal groove formed therein; theconstruction being such that when the two rails are applied together theweb of one enters the groove of the horizontal extension of the other,whereby securin g-bolts maybe passed through the web, and

the horizontal portions also supported and braced in position,substantially as described.

2. The combination with rails having an extended base formed with ahorizontal groove,

5 of a vertical Web mounted 011 said extended base, another rail havingan extended tread formed With a horizontal groove, an aperturedwebfpendent from said tread; the construction being such that thevertical Web of one 1 0 rail enters the horizontal groove of the adjoin-2o ertured Web having a shoulder at its lower end; the constructionbeingsuch that the vertical Web of one rail enters the vertical groove of theother rail and the shoulder of one Web abuts against a portion of theopposing rail, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a rail having an extended base formed with ahorizontal groove and a vertical apertured Web, of another rail havingan extended tread and formed With a horizontal groove, and a verticalWeb having elongated slots and bolts adapted to be passed through saidslots and the apertures of the adjoining Web; the construction beingsuch that the Web of one rail enters the groove of the adjoining rail,whereby the tread and base portions are supported and braced inposition, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribin g Witnesses.

EDWARD NORTON.

\Vitnesses:

GEORGE BoUNDs, LOUIS I-IAGBERG.

